Compact floating row cleaner

ABSTRACT

A floating row cleaner assembly comprising a tool arm row cleaner mount, a row cleaner frame mounting plate, a row cleaner frame pivotally attached to the tool arm row cleaner mount and the row cleaner frame mounting plate. The periphery of the u-shaped row cleaner frame is composed of a combination of angled and curved portions to reduce the length and width of the frame to allow row cleaners to be used in combination with a coulter, or other tillage tool, and planter row unit spacing below 30 inches, while allowing necessary clearance between the row cleaner(s) and the coulter for terrain responsive operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofprovisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/124,962 filed on Apr.21, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The methods described herein are generally applicable to the field ofagricultural equipment. The embodiments shown and described herein aremore particularly for improved row cleaning for delivery of seed orfertilizer. Although in no way limiting, the present disclosure isparticularly suited for minimum or no-till conditions.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.171 (d)(c)

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,890 issued to Martin for “Ground-driven rotary rowcleaner” illustrates prior art that may be relevant to the inventiondisclosed and claimed herein, but which fails to teach the improvementdisclosed and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Applicant discloses and claims herein a row cleaner frame and structure,without limitations, which has particular application as an improvedno-till or minimum tillage planting apparatus and or planting row unit.The present invention provides a mounting mechanism for planter row unitrow cleaners. It includes an assembly for mounting the residue wheels infront of the row unit so that the row cleaner wheels are mounted infront of and to each side of a coulter, as in FIGS. 7-11. The rowcleaner assembly itself is pivotally connected to the planter frame andone side of the support arm upon which the row unit coulter is mounted.The mounting of the row cleaner allows it to rise and fall about ahorizontal axis, within a predetermined range, in response to eitherterrain elevation changes or contact with non-moveable obstructions suchas rocks, large soil clods and root crowns.

A large of number of corn acres are planted with a row spacing of 30-38inches. For various reasons, including increased yields, decreasingerosion and decreasing chemical costs, farmers are interested inreducing row spacing to less than 30 inches. Reductions to a row spacingof 15-20 inches is therefore desirable. The reduction in width betweenplanted rows in combination with the use of row cleaners can lead toplugging of the planter row units i.e. the volume of trash flow is toohigh for the amount of actual physical space available between planterrow units contiguously mounted on a tool bar. Furthermore, the reducedspacing between row units reduces the physical space available formounting a row cleaner to a row unit. This problem is especially anissue for planters having a split row type, such as the 1700 Series JohnDeere front-fold planter. Applicant's design is of benefit anddesirable. Additionally, many users wish to mount an accessory tool withthe row cleaner, i.e. a coulter mounted in combination with a rowcleaner for each row unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the compact floating row cleaner will bereadily understood, a more particular description of the compactfloating row cleaner briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of thecompact floating row cleaner and are not therefore to be consideredlimited of its scope, the compact floating row cleaner will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a planter row unit mountable upon a tool bar as foundin the prior art.

FIG. 2 provides a side view of a coulter and tool arm as found in theprior art.

FIG. 3 provides a frontal perspective view of a tool arm mounted to afront plate as found in the prior art.

FIG. 4 provides a frontal perspective view of a tool arm with anexemplary embodiment of a tool arm row cleaner mount of the present artattached.

FIG. 5 provides a frontal perspective view of a tool arm with a tool armrow cleaner mount and row cleaner frame mounting plate of the presentart attached.

FIG. 6 provides a front view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 provides a frontal perspective view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 5 with a row cleaner frame affixed thereto.

FIG. 8 provides a right side view illustrating one means of attachingapplicant's row cleaner assembly to a front plate.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of a rowcleaner assembly.

FIG. 10 provides a side view of the exemplary embodiment of a rowcleaner assembly.

FIG. 11 provides a top view of the exemplary embodiment of a row cleanerassembly.

FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of one embodiment of the row cleanerframe with the coulter, row cleaner wheels, and various mountingstructures removed for clarity.

FIG. 13 provides a side view of one embodiment of the row cleaner framewith the coulter, row cleaner wheels, and various mounting structuresremoved for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Listing of Elements

Element Description Element Number Planter row unit  1 Front plate  2Row unit disc opener  3 Planter depth tire  4 Coulter  5 Tool arm  6Tool arm first end  6a Tool arm second end  6b Hub  7 Slotted aperture 8 Row cleaner assembly 10 Row cleaner frame 11 First side 11a Firstside tab 11aa Second side 11b Second side tab 11bb First side angledportion 11c Second side angled portion 11d Curved portion 11e Rowcleaner wheel aperture 11f Row cleaner wheel 12 Tool arm row cleanermount 13 Front plate portion 13a Row cleaner frame portion 13b Tool armportion 13c Angled portion 13d Row cleaner frame mounting plate 14 Frontplate member 14a Row cleaner frame member 14b Pivot 16 Nut 17 Bolt 18Aperture 19 Washer 21 Depth adjustment 22 Depth adjustment dial 23Interface rack 24

Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that phraseology and terminology used herein with referenceto device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like“front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are onlyused to simplify description of the present invention, and do not aloneindicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have aparticular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”,and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes ofdescription and are not intended to indicate or imply relativeimportance or significance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1,2, and 3 illustrate the prior art. FIG. 1 is a planter row unit 1, as iswell known in the art and upon which the present art compact floatingrow cleaner unit may be mounted. FIG. 2 is a side view of a prior artcoulter 5 and tool arm 5 over which the row cleaner assembly 10 may bemounted. FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the coulter 5 and tool arm 6 asshown in FIG. 1 with the planter row unit 1 removed for clarity.

The coulter 5 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 uses a tool arm 6 to attachthe coulter 5 in a relatively fixed, but adjustable position at thefront of the planter row unit 1. For farmers desiring a planter fornarrow row spacing, less than thirty inches and preferably as narrow asfifteen inches, single-arm, row unit mounted coulters 5, such as thoseshown in the various figures herein, are preferable. Double arm mountedcoulters (not shown herein) are well known in the prior art but are oflimited application for planter row units 1 configured for narrow rowspacing. Furthermore, although applicant has illustrated the present artusing a coulter 5, the present art is not limited as such. Other workingtools or accessories may be mounted in place of the coulter 5 to work incombination with the planter row unit 1, as is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tool arm 6 is affixed to the front plate 2of the planter row unit 1 at the tool arm first end 6 a by three bolts18 passing through corresponding apertures 19 formed in the tool armfirst end 6 a and in the front plate 2 in conjunction with three nuts 17and washers 21. A rotatable hub 7 is typically mounted at the tool armsecond end 6 b, which is opposite the front plate 2. A working tool,such as a coulter 5, may be mounted to the hub 7 such that the workingtool may rotate with respect to the tool arm 6 and planter row unit 1.The working tool in FIG. 3 has been removed to better illustrate thetool arm 6.

As shown herein, the configuration of the tool arm 6 illustrated inFIGS. 3-8 is a two-piece design, with the tool arm first end 6 a formingone piece and the tool arm second end 6 b forming the second piece. Thevertical position of the tool arm second end 6 b may be adjusted withrespect to the tool arm first end 6 a, and consequently with respect tothe planter row unit 1. The tool arm first end 6 a and tool arm secondend 6 b interface one another at an interface rack 24 adjacent a slottedaperture 8 fashioned in a distal portion of the tool arm first end 6 a.A bolt 18 passing through the slotted aperture 8 and a correspondingaperture 19 in the tool arm second end 6 b, washer 21, and nut 17 fixesthe position of the tool arm first end 6 a with respect to the tool armsecond end. This type of vertical adjustment between the tool arm secondend 6 b and tool arm first end 6 a is well known to those skilled in theart and will not be described in further detail herein for purposes ofclarity. The tool arm 6 extends from the front plate 2 so that thecoulter 5 engages the ground prior to the planter row unit 1 duringoperation, which is most clearly shown in FIGS. 7-8. Other tools may bemounted to the hub 7 on the tool arm second end 6 b, such as spikedwheels, compactions wheels, or any other tool known to those skilled inthe art.

The exemplary embodiment of a tool arm row cleaner mount 13 (which isone component of the row cleaner mounting assembly) is shown affixed tothe front plate 2 in FIG. 4. The tool arm row cleaner mount 13 of theexemplary embodiment is affixed to the front plate 2 via a nut 17, bolt18, washer 21, and corresponding apertures 19 in the tool arm rowcleaner mount 13 and the front plate 2. However, in other embodimentsnot pictured herein the tool arm row cleaner mount 13 is integrallyformed with the front plate 2 or affixed to the front plate using otherstructures or methods than nuts 17, bolts 18, and washers 21. The nut 17and bolt 18 used to mount the tool arm row cleaner mount 13 to the frontplate 2 may simultaneously affix the tool arm 6 to the front plate 2, asis shown in FIG. 4.

The tool arm row cleaner mount 13 as shown in the exemplary embodimentincludes a front plate portion 13 a that is affixed to and abuts thefront plate 2. A row cleaner frame portion 13 b is integrally formedwith the front plate portion 13 a and oriented substantiallyperpendicularly thereto in the exemplary embodiment. The row cleanerframe portion 13 b is adapted for pivotal engagement with a row cleanerframe 11, which engagement will be described in detail below. An angledportion 13 d is integrally formed with the row cleaner frame portion 13b and angled with respect thereto. In the exemplary embodiment the anglebetween the row cleaner frame portion 13 b and the angled portion 13 dis approximately forty-five degrees, but may be greater or less in otherembodiments not pictured herein. A tool arm portion 13 c is integrallyformed with the angled portion 13 d and angled with respect thereto suchthat the tool arm portion 13 c is substantially parallel to the rowcleaner frame portion 13 b in the exemplary embodiment of the tool armrow cleaner mount 13. The tool arm row cleaner mount 13 and variouselements thereof may have different orientations/relationships dependingon the planter row unit 1. In other embodiments, the tool arm rowcleaner mount will only include a front plate portion 13 a and rowcleaner frame portion 13 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a row cleaner frame mounting plate 14 may bemounted to the front plate 2. The row cleaner frame mounting plate 14 ofthe exemplary embodiment is affixed to the front plate 2 via a pluralityof nuts 17 and bolts 18 and corresponding apertures 19 in the tool armrow cleaner mount 13 and the front plate 2. However, as with the toolarm row cleaner mount 13, in other embodiments not pictured herein therow cleaner frame mounting plate 14 is integrally formed with the frontplate 2 or affixed to the front plate using other structures or methodsthan nuts 17 and bolts 18. The nuts 17 and bolts 18 used to mount therow cleaner frame mounting plate 14 to the front plate 2 maysimultaneously affix the tool arm 6 to the front plate 2, as is shown inFIG. 5.

The row cleaner frame mounting plate 14 as shown in the exemplaryembodiment includes a front plate member 14 a that is affixed to andabuts the front plate 2. A row cleaner frame member 14 b is integrallyformed with the front plate member 14 a and oriented substantiallyperpendicularly thereto in the exemplary embodiment. The row cleanerframe member 14 b is adapted for pivotal engagement with a row cleanerframe 11, which engagement will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 7, a row cleaner frame, typically having either agenerally U- or V-shape, may pivotally attach to the tool arm rowcleaner mount 13 at the row cleaner frame portion and to the row cleanerframe mounting plate 14 at the row cleaner frame member 14 b. In theexemplary embodiment, these pivotal attachments are achieved through anaperture 19 formed in the row cleaner frame portion 13 b and anotherformed in the row cleaner frame member 14 b that correspond to apertures19 formed in the row cleaner frame 11. Nuts 17, bolts 18, and washers 21are used to secure the row cleaner frame 11 to the tool arm row cleanermount 13 and row cleaner frame mounting plate 14. However, in otherembodiments not pictured herein, other structures and/or methods may beused to pivotally attach the row cleaner frame 11 to the tool arm rowcleaner mount 13 and/or row cleaner frame mounting plate 14.

The row cleaner frame, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 9-11, isgenerally symmetrical with respect to a vertically oriented plane andextends from the front plate 2 in the same direction as the tool arm 6(see FIG. 11). A first side 11 a is pivotally attached to the tool armrow cleaner mount 13 and a second side 11 b is pivotally attached to therow cleaner frame mounting plate 14. In the exemplary embodiment of therow cleaner assembly 10, the first and second sides 11 a, 11 b includesections that are substantially straight and sections that are angled,which are best shown in FIG. 11. The angle between the straight sectionand angled section of the first and second sides 11 a, 11 b will varyfrom one embodiment to the next, and in the exemplary embodiment isapproximately twenty-five degrees. However, the precise angle in no waylimits the scope of the row cleaner assembly 10.

Integrally formed with the first side 11 a is a first side angledportion 11 c, which is angled approximately twenty degrees with respectto the first side 11 a. Integrally formed with the second side 11 b is asecond side angled portion 11 d, which is angled approximatelyforty-five degrees with respect to the second side 11 b. Affixed to andintegrally formed with both the first and second side angled portions 11c, 11 d is a curved portion 11 e. In the exemplary embodiment, both thefirst and second sides 11 a, 11 b include hubs 7 pivotally mountedthereto to which row cleaner wheels 12 may be attached. The row cleanerframe 11 is configured such that it may be mounted over a coulter 5,wherein the coulter 5 and the row cleaner wheels 12 may simultaneouslyengage the ground surface (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and wherein the verticalposition of the row cleaner frame 11 may change independently of theposition of the tool arm 6.

The vertical position of the row cleaner frame 11 may be adjusted withrespect to that of the tool arm 6 using an apparatus such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,455, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. Accordingly, the row cleaner frame 11 in theexemplary embodiment is free to move away from the ground surfaceindependently of the tool arm 6 until the row cleaner frame 11 or someelement affixed thereto, such as a row cleaner wheel 12, meets anobstruction. The depth adjustment 22 provides a limit as to the amountof travel for the row cleaner frame 11 toward the ground surface, andthereby determines the vertical relationship between the row cleanerframe 11 and the coulter 5. The depth adjustment 22 may be manipulatedby the user via the depth adjustment dial 23. Accordingly, the rowcleaner frame 11 as shown in the exemplary embodiment provides afloating row cleaner, the advantages of which are well known to thoseskilled in the art.

As those practiced in the arts will appreciate, row cleaner wheels 12are one structure for use in cleaning rows for agricultural purposes.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present artreduces residue plugging during operation and allows relatively narrowspacing between each of the two row cleaner wheels 12 mounted to a rowcleaner frame 11 as well as allowing relatively narrow spacing betweenadjacent planter row units 1. As developed by the Applicant, the presentart, when applied to a planter, allows for as little as fifteen-inchspacing between adjacent rows of seeds, which is useful and desired. Abenefit of this configuration and operation is that less residue isuncovered or moved from the row area. As a result, trash flow is reducedthereby reducing planter row unit 1 plugging, which is beneficial anddesirable.

As illustrated in the various figures show herein, the row cleanerwheels 12 may be angled with respect to the vertical axis. The verticalangle as shown in the exemplary embodiment is twenty-three degrees oneach side, which results in a total of forty-six degrees between the rowcleaner wheels 12. The row cleaner frame 11 may be configured to resultin other combined vertical angle configurations of the row cleanerwheels 12 in the range of zero to ninety degrees.

In the exemplary embodiment as pictured herein, each row cleaner wheel12 of a pair is symmetrical to the other row cleaner wheel 12 in thatpair. In another embodiment not pictured herein, the row cleaner wheels12 are still asymmetrical. As shown, each row cleaner wheel 12 iscomprised of two non-equal diameter portions, which allows the user tocontrol the amount of trash cleared by each row cleaner wheel 12 andsimultaneously maintain depth control of each row cleaner wheel 12. Thatis, the smaller diameter portion restricts the depth of penetration ofthe larger diameter portion of each row cleaner wheel 12.

As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, the row cleaner assembly 10may be configured for use and operation adjacent a plurality of rowcleaner assemblies 10 and/or attached to a tool bar to form a contiguousplanter unit (not shown). To modify the amount of trash cleared fromeach row, the row cleaner wheels 12 may be angled or positioned so thatthe periphery of adjacent row cleaner wheels 12 in a pair thereofintersect one another during use and operation for increased trashclearing. In another embodiment the row cleaner wheels 12 may bepositioned so that the periphery of adjacent row cleaner wheels 12 donot intersect one another for less trash clearing.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first side 11 a may be formed with afirst side tab 11 aa, which extends below the first side 11 a. The firstside tab 11 aa provides a lowered mounting point for the correspondingrow cleaner wheel 12. The second side 11 b may be formed with a similarsecond side tab 11 bb. Either tab 11 aa, 11 bb may be formed with tworow cleaner wheel apertures 11 f. This allows the operator to positionthe row cleaner wheel 12 at two different positions on the row cleanerframe 11 so that the operator may select the optimal location based onspecific conditions.

Providing a mounting point for the row cleaner wheel 12 that is belowthe first and second sides 11 a, 11 b of the row cleaner frame 11 allowsthe row cleaner assembly 10 to be more compact even when employed withadditional structures, such as a coulter 5. Because the first and secondside tabs 11 aa, 11 bb are lowered with respect to the other parts ofthe row cleaner frame 11, the row cleaner frame 11 may be placed inclose proximity to an implement in the center of the row cleaner frame11 while the row cleaner wheels 12 simultaneously are positioned inclose proximity to the exterior sides of an implement in the center ofthe row cleaner frame 11. This situation is show in detail for a coulter5 in FIG. 8. As shown, the tangential forward edge of the row cleanerassembly 10 (positioned toward the right in FIG. 8, and which is definedby the leading edge of the row cleaner wheels 12) is only marginallyfurther forward than the tangential forward edge of the coulter 5. Thiscompact dimension allows the row cleaner assembly 10 to be placed on aplanter having multiple planter row units 1 even if the transportposition for the planter requires that the row units be juxtaposed withone another about their respective length, such as the 1760 plantermanufactured by Deere & Co.

As shown in FIG. 13, the axis of rotation for each row cleaner wheel 12in the row cleaner assembly 10 is below the row cleaner frame 11. Asexplained in detail previously, this configuration allows the rowcleaner frame 11 to be more compact in the horizontal dimension, evenwhen used with an implement, such as a coulter 5.

The row cleaner assembly 10 and various elements thereof may beconstructed of any material known to those skilled in the art that isappropriate for the specific application thereof. For example, steel,metallic alloys, and any other material known to those skilled in theart may be used to construct the row cleaner assembly 10.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended toapply to all similar methods for ground surface penetration duringoperation of planter, seeder or drill unit. Accordingly, modificationsand alterations from the described embodiments will occur to thoseskilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A row cleaner frame comprising: a. a first side,wherein a first end of said first side is pivotally engaged with aplanter about a first pivot point; b. a first side tab extending belowsaid first side, wherein at least one row cleaner wheel aperture isformed in said first side tab; c. a first side angled portion connectedto and angled with respect to said first side; d. a second side, whereina first end of said second side is pivotally engaged with said planterabout a second pivot point, wherein said first and second sides and saidfirst and second pivot points reside within a common plane extendingalong a length of said first and second sides such that said commonplane and said row cleaner frame are pivotable with respect to saidplanter about said first and second pivot points; e. a second side tabextending below said second side, wherein at least one row cleaner wheelaperture is formed in said second side tab, wherein a line connectingsaid at least one row cleaner wheel aperture in said first side tab andsaid at least one row cleaner wheel aperture in said second side tabdoes not reside in said common plane; f. a second side angled portionconnected to and angled with respect to said second side; and, g. acurved portion, wherein said curved portion is connected to said secondside angled portion and said first side angled portion.
 2. The rowcleaner frame according to claim 1 wherein said first side, said firstside tab, said first side angled portion, said second side, said secondside tab, said second side angled portion, and said curved portion areintegrally formed with one another.
 3. The row cleaner frame accordingto claim 1 wherein said first side, said first side tab, and first sideangled portion are integrally formed with one another, wherein saidsecond side, said second side tab, and said second side angled portionare integrally formed with one another, and wherein said curved portionis then affixed to said first side angled portion and said second sideangled portion.
 4. The row cleaner frame according to claim 1 whereinsaid row cleaner frame is further defined so that said row cleaner frameis affixed to a tool arm row cleaner mount and a row cleaner framemounting plate via a plurality of nuts and bolts and correspondingapertures formed in said first side, said second side, said tool arm rowcleaner mount, and said row cleaner frame mounting plate.
 5. A rowcleaner comprising: a. a row cleaner frame pivotally attached to aplanter row unit frame, said row cleaner frame comprising: i. a firstside; ii. a first side tab extending below said first side, wherein atleast one row cleaner wheel aperture is formed in said first side tab;iii. a first side angled portion connected to and angled with respect tosaid first side; iv. a second side, wherein said first and second sidesreside within a common plane extending along a length of said first andsecond sides such that an angle of said common plane with respect tosaid planter row unit frame is equal to an angle of said first andsecond sides with respect to said planter row unit frame; v. a secondside angled portion connected to and angled with respect to said secondside; vi. a second side tab extending below said second side, wherein atleast one row cleaner wheel aperture is formed in said second side tab,wherein a line connecting said at least one row cleaner wheel aperturein said first side tab and said at least one row cleaner wheel aperturein said second side tab does not reside in said common plane; vii. acurved portion, wherein said curved portion is connected to said secondside angled portion and said first side angled portion; b. a first rowcleaner wheel pivotally engaged with said row cleaner frame at said rowcleaner wheel aperture formed in said first side tab; and, c. a secondrow cleaner wheel pivotally engaged with said row cleaner frame at saidrow cleaner wheel aperture formed in said second side tab.
 6. The rowcleaner assembly according to claim 5 wherein said first and second rowcleaner wheels are angled less than 23 degrees from vertical.
 7. The rowcleaner frame according to claim 5 wherein said first side, said firstside tab, said first side angled portion, said second side, said secondside tab, said second side angled portion, and said curved portion areintegrally formed with one another.
 8. The row cleaner frame accordingto claim 5 wherein said first side, said first side tab, and first sideangled portion are integrally formed with one another, wherein saidsecond side, said second side tab, and said second side angled portionare integrally formed with one another, and wherein said curved portionis then affixed to said first side angled portion and said second sideangled portion.
 9. A row cleaner comprising: a. a row cleaner framepivotally attached to a planter row unit frame, said row cleaner framecomprising: i. a first side; ii. a first side tab extending below saidfirst side, wherein at least one row cleaner wheel aperture is formed insaid first side tab; iii. a first side angled portion connected to andangled with respect to said first side; iv. a second side, wherein saidfirst and second sides reside within a common plane extending along alength of said first and second sides such that an angle of said commonplane with respect to said planter row unit frame is equal to an angleof said first and second sides with respect to said planter row unitframe; v. a second side angled portion connected to and angled withrespect to said second side; vi. a second side tab extending below saidsecond side, wherein at least one row cleaner wheel aperture is formedin said second side tab, wherein a line connecting said at least one rowcleaner wheel aperture in said first side tab and said at least one rowcleaner wheel aperture in said second side tab does not reside in saidcommon plane; vii. a curved portion, wherein said curved portion isconnected to said second side angled portion and said first side angledportion; b. a first row cleaner wheel pivotally engaged with said rowcleaner frame at said row cleaner wheel aperture formed in said firstside tab; and, c. a second row cleaner wheel pivotally engaged with saidrow cleaner frame at said row cleaner wheel aperture formed in saidsecond side tab, wherein an axis of rotation for said first row cleanerwheel and an axis of rotation for said second row cleaner wheel residein a second plane, and wherein said common plane and said second planeintersect only at a first point adjacent said planter row unit frame.10. The row cleaner assembly according to claim 9 wherein said first andsecond row cleaner wheels are angled less than 23 degrees from vertical.11. The row cleaner frame according to claim 9 wherein said first side,said first side tab, said first side angled portion, said second side,said second side tab, said second side angled portion, and said curvedportion are integrally formed with one another.
 12. The row cleanerframe according to claim 9 wherein said first side, said first side tab,and first side angled portion are integrally formed with one another,wherein said second side, said second side tab, and said second sideangled portion are integrally formed with one another, and wherein saidcurved portion is then affixed to said first side angled portion andsaid second side angled portion.